Financial planning

For those nearing retirement, a market downturn may be something they simply can’t afford to endure. Without enough time to make up for the damage to their portfolios, they won’t be able to afford the retirement lifestyle they had envisioned.

Health insurance questions may dominate this year’s conversation, as the Affordable Care Act’s effects become widespread, but advisors should help clients with other key areas as well.

The Social Security Adminstration makes mistakes like everyone else and it claims a three-year statute of limitations on correction—so don’t delay

The head of the IRS’s small business unit said his division expects to move from focusing on audits of small corporations to partnerships.

Advisors, attorneys and accountants are increasingly recommending donor-advised funds to clients interested in charitable planning. Here are some questions advisors should ask fund sponsors when helping clients select the right one.

Want to work with more female clients? Don't make the mistake of assuming that they're all the same.

A unit set up by the IRS to improve international tax compliance by individuals is paying off, according to a new government report, enabling IRS auditors to assess an additional $36 million in taxes for fiscal years 2011 to 2013.

The toughest conversations that advisors need to have with their clients have nothing to do with investment strategies.

From now to December 7, seniors can decide whether to look for flexibility in original Medicare or cost savings in a private Medicare Advantage plan.

Taking notes during client meetings is important, but what are you missing while you’re busy trying to jot down what you are hearing and (not) seeing?

Activities unfolding within 3 separate industry rulemakers -- the SEC, FINRA and the Labor Department -- suggest changes ahead for both brokers and advisors.

The use of social media within an advisory practice has been the subject of much debate within the industry, but one of the most common arguments for advisors limiting or altogether barring sites like Facebook and YouTube within the firm -- compliance -- might be dramatically overstated.

It’s all about the story – if you want to attract and retain more women clients an advisor consultant told attendees at the Schwab Impact conference.

Married clients can arbitrage Social Security benefits for maximum long-term payouts.

Deciding whether to impose a uniform fiduciary standard for brokers and investment advisors was a “high priority” for the SEC, but there is no timeframe for a rule, Commission Chair Mary Jo White said.

Wealth, widowhood, retirement strategies and practice management tips were all in focus in at the Women Advisors Forum in Chicago in October. Here are a few of the smartest things we heard in Chicago.

Wealth management firms seeking to recruit new advisors need to first develop a clear business strategy, executives tell attendees at Schwab Impact conference.

Despite a recent show of political opposition, the Labor Department seems poised to press ahead with a proposal to broaden the definition of fiduciary to cover advisors working in the retirement plan segment, a leading opponent of the measure warns.

The new model has to be able to serve clients "any time, any place and anyhow," said Bernie Clark, the head of Schwab Advisor Services at the financial service giant's annual Impact conference in Washington, D.C.

There’s been a steady increase in opportunities for overseas investment and clients’ willingness to include international investments in their portfolios.